Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
